Over the last few weeks, the editorial board here at Foster’s Daily Democrat and other like-minded newspapers have made a number of endorsements representing a balanced approach to governing at the federal, state and local levels. Whether you agree or disagree with these recommendations, please get out and vote Nov. 6.

For President of the United States we would like to borrow some words from The Telegraph of Nashua, which (unlike Foster’s) endorsed Barack Obama in 2008.

“Four years ago, with little hesitation, we (The Telegraph) endorsed then-Sen. Barack Obama to become the 44th president of the United States, saying it was a time for ‘new leadership, a new approach to governing, a new way of conducting the people’s business.’

“So the basic question facing The Telegraph editorial board when it met last week came down to this: Did the former Illinois senator do enough to live up to those admittedly high expectations to warrant a second term?

“After several hours of spirited debate, not unlike conversations taking place in kitchens and living rooms across America, we reached a consensus that he had not. Perhaps more importantly, when we identified the key challenges facing the nation — jobs, the economy and the national debt — we concluded he was not the best candidate to meet them.

“That person is former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and we hereby endorse him to become the 45th president of the United States,” concluded the Telegraph.

For U.S. Representative, 1st Congressional District: Here, too, rather than repeat our own words we offer some from the Eagle Tribune newspaper.

“In the 1st Congressional District, Frank Guinta, R-Manchester, faces Democratic challenger Carol Shea-Porter of Rochester. This time, Guinta is the incumbent and is facing heavy criticism from the Shea-Porter campaign on his voting record, which it describes as ‘tea party Republican.’

“But when the alternative is Shea-Porter’s track record of far-left liberalism, New Hampshire voters are clearly better off sticking with Guinta.

“Guinta has the right ideas on taxes and the economy. He understands that government boondoggles such as President Obama’s “stimulus” plan never create any real, permanent jobs. Government best supports job growth when it simply gets out of the way.”

For governor: The decision of the editorial board here at Foster’s Daily Democrat to endorse Ovide Lamontagne comes down to choosing the right candidate for the right time. Agree or disagree with the cuts made to the state budget by the Republican-led Legislature, the fact remains the budget is the most honestly balanced — sans smoke and mirrors — than it has been in a long time, under both Republican and Democratic leadership. And like or dislike that the budget was cut by more than 10 percent, it needed to be done given these dire times.

As a result, the challenge moving forward will be to closely monitor requests for added spending and to scrutinize carefully any expanded role for state government. In reviewing the history and background of both candidates, Foster’s Daily Democrat sees Lamontagne as best able to hold the line while the economy waits to brighten and significantly more revenue is available to address pressing needs.

For a more balanced State Senate: Republican Jeb Bradley, District 3; Democrat David Watters, District 4; Democrat Richard Leonard, District 6; Democrat Martha Fuller Clark, District 21; Republican Nancy Stiles, District 24.

For the governor’s Executive Council: Michael Tierney, District 2; Chris Sununu, District 3; Robert “Bob” Burns, District 4.

For Strafford County Sheriff: Given the choice between better and best, our endorsement goes to David Dubois, primarily for his accomplishments while service as chief of police for the city of Rochester.

While time has not allowed our editorial board to delve into the many N.H. races, voters are urged to support candidates who stuck to the economic issues and to reject those who wasted time on social issues.